Covid-19 vaccine to be now available in private hospitals at ₹250 per dose

Feb. 27: The Union government on Friday held a meeting with states on the rollout of Covid-19 vaccine days ahead of the scheduled second phase of the vaccination drive. The second phase of the drive is scheduled to begin March 1 with a focus on citizens above 60 years of age and those within the age bracket of 45-59 years, with specified co-morbidities.

Those over 60 will have to only show their identification with age while those over 45 with chronic illnesses will have to get a form signed by a registered medical practitioner. They can register through the government’s CoWIN 2.0 portal, the Aarogya Setu app, or walk into vaccination centres; states will also actively mobilise people.

Private hospitals will now be allowed to vaccinate the public, but they have to make their own investment, while government will only cater to providing vaccine stock to them. Hospitals will have to invest in equipment, and arrange for power backup for refrigerators. Hospitals will also be directed to store vaccine in an ice-lined refrigerator where no other drug or vaccine is stocked.

Private hospitals can charge up to ₹250 per dose of vaccines in the second phase of vaccination, starting from March 1. Two doses to be taken in a gap of 28 days will cost ₹500. This price will include taxes, reports said. At the same time, vaccines will continue to be free in all government hospitals and centres. There are more than 10,000 private hospitals in the country that are cleared to give out vaccines apart from all government hospitals and health centres.